Natural Stone Warehouse has introduced its 2009/10 Elements Collection. Inspired by nature, it includes some exciting new materials such as Desert Plains Sandstone in warm golden russet colours and Marron Emperador Marble in rich leather tones. The Elements Collection marks the latest additions to the wide range of natural stone products available from Natural Stone Warehouse.

Apix, a locally authorised Graphisoft solutions partner, will be rolling out a new version of Graphisoft's architectural design software, ArchiCAD 13, near the end of September 2009. ArchiCAD 13 will feature a number of new revisions and additions, the most prominent being the patent-pending BIM (building information modelling) server, which will allow users to access BIM files from multiple locations and time frames.

Inspired by a rich variety of visual media, ranging from exotic fruit trees and reclaimed timber to modern architectural surfaces and engineered metals, the new Expona Design collection of luxury vinyl tiles from Polyflor is

The Timber Marketing Forum (TMF), subject of much discussion in the timber industry in recent months, has been officially constituted following the inaugural general meeting held in June in Johannesburg. The TMF is constituted as a non profit organisation with associate and affiliate membership open to industry associations, companies and individuals.

Over 40 km of Mentrail Guardrails have been installed in major freeway upgrade projects currently in progress in Gauteng. The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Programme, driven by the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL), is set to improve the existing network and provide additional infrastructure in order to reduce traffic congestion on Gauteng's major freeways.

The Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) will host two further half-day afternoon seminars on the design, construction and reinforcing of concrete retaining block (CRB) walls, following the first which was held in Johannesburg in July. The seminars will be held in Cape Town on 30th September and in Durban on 1st October.

The management committee of the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) for the year ahead - 2009/10 - sees Silvio Ferraris as the new president and welcomes three new members: Devi Lategan, Chris Morgan and Pat Pretorius. (Pretorius takes up the position of vice president of the PIPES division.)

keyboard_arrow_downKhanda Seating caters for maximum capacity in church

Khanda Seating, manufacturer of a variety of seating options for stadiums, auditoriums and other large venues, recently completed the installation of seating at the new Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Johannesburg. The church will accommodate a maximum attendance of 7 500 people on Khanda's Rhema seats.

While the new SANS 428 fire regulations, as part of the National Building Regulations, have been welcomed as a major step forward with regard to the testing, evaluation and recommendation of roof insulation materials, D&D Roof Insulation has highlighted a critical shortcoming with the new fire rating system.

According to Wim Dessing, managing director of Apex Strip Curtains and Doors, high quality PVC strip curtains offer an affordable solution in various applications where dirt, dust or insects need to be kept out and hygiene, humidity, temperature and noise need to be controlled. "Our Balledge PVC strip curtains are equally at home in the food, pharmaceutical and heavy engineering industries," says Dessing.

Plascon recently launched the Removall range of products which includes wood restoration products, surface cleaners and preparation products and various coating removers for industrial, building and aviation applications. All the products in the range are water-based and non-toxic, without compromising their quality and efficacy. They are formulated to prepare any surface for coating applications, including wood, concrete, masonry and metals.

A-Sales Connection, distributor of plumbing and associated products, recently launched a new range of manhole covers, grates and pits into the South African market. The Evercast range, imported from Australian-based Everhard Industries with the assistance of HaveStock and distributed exclusively by A-Sales Connection, is cast in ductile iron.

Inner city property developer Aengus Lifestyle Properties has begun converting the 1950s Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) building in Braamfontein into its biggest mixed-use development to date. The new development will consist of 4 000m square metres of commercial space, 190 residential units and prime retail space.

Micon Coatings, supplier of a range of fire protection products for the building and mining industries, recently saw its Intusayf intumescent coating used in the air traffic control tower at Durban's new King Shaka International Airport. Micon supplied over 2 500 litres of Intusayf for the project and the application was carried out by Durban-based Gillmar Projects. The Intusayf coating is applied to the structural steel used in the construction of the control tower.

Rodwell House is an upmarket guesthouse in St James, Cape Town. Being close to the sea and east facing, the building receives an early morning dose of sun but goes into the shade by early afternoon when the sun slips behind the Kalk Bay mountains that form part of the Silvermine section of Table Mountain National Park.

Sika's commitment to health, safety, enviro-care and sustainability is a global endeavour, in line with the Swiss group's mission of constantly striving for new levels of excellence in the field of speciality chemicals. Sika SA recently reinforced this undertaking by signing the Chemical and Allied Industries' Association (CAIA) Responsible Care pledge at its head office in Westmead, Durban.

In an exceptionally trying year there has been a substantial decline in the construction industry, with many projects being redesigned to suit reduced budgets or postponed indefinitely. Isca has managed to increase its market share even in these difficult circumstances. This accomplishment is credited to the company's ability to adapt to changing needs and identify ranges that are suitable for the market.

The last week of July (as this edition of Specifier goes into production) is marked by government as National Construction Week and sees a series of activities taking place, coordinated by the Department of Public Works. In 2009, National Construction Week is intended to highlight the importance of the construction industry in job creation, job retention and the contribution it makes to South Africa's economic growth.

The Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI) has published the ninth edition of Fulton's Concrete Technology, one of the world's most respected and authoritative books on the subject. The latest edition of Fulton's provides updated information on materials and other aspects of concrete technology. The book is aimed at students and practitioners and, according to C&CI managing director, Bryan Perrie, "consolidates the experience and insights of experts in the field in a single volume relevant to concrete technology in South Africa".

Libra's extensive experience in creating the perfect bathroom lifestyle for their customers stems from the passionate understanding they have for creating and manufacturing the right high quality product at the right time and the right cost

Maxiflex Door Systems manufactures and supplies PVC strip curtains, protection screens, high performance roller doors and a wide range of industrial sectional overhead doors. The company has recently completed an installation of its ST insulated sectional overhead doors at Rich Products Corporation of South Africa. Rich Products Corporation supplies various baking products and the distribution facility where the ST doors have been installed at the dispatch and receiving docking bays is refrigerated.

The training scheme for Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) construction site personnel run by the Gauteng Master Builders Association (GMBA) is progressing well, according to Doug Michell, the GMBA's HSE Officer. Initiated to address the serious shortage of HSE personnel, the eight-month training scheme kicked off in February 2009 with an intake of 21 students.